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Platypus Hoser 2.0 L
By Shane Williams
Owner Review
May 06, 2010
Tester Information
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Name:
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Shane Williams
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Email:
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sherpa[dot]colorado[at]gmail.com
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Personal Website:
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ColoradoSherpa.net
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Age:
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36
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Location:
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Colorado Springs, Colorado USA
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Gender:
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Male
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Height:
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6' 0" (1.83 m)
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Weight:
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190 lb (86.20 kg)
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Bio:
As a child I lived in the last house on a dead end street. Just beyond my house was a wilderness area. I started hiking and exploring there, and I've never stopped. I started backpacking in the South Eastern Appalachian Mountains, including portions of the Appalachian Trail. Today I primarily hike in the Colorado Rockies. My pack weight is approximately 30 (13.61 kg) to 50 lbs (22.68 kg). I often carrying more gear than necessary hoping that I won’t need it. I enjoy weekend excursions into the High Country with friends and lower elevation day trips with my family.
Product Information
Manufacturer: Platypus
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.cascadedesigns.com/platypus
Width: 6 in (15 cm)
Length: 16 in (40.5 cm)
Listed Weight: 3.6 oz (102 g)
Measured Weight: 3.6 oz (102 g)
Product Description
The Platypus Hoser Hydration System consists of a 2.0 Liter (70 oz) reservoir constructed of polyurethane and polyethylene. The reservoir consists of five main components, the reservoir, the anchor loop, and the pour spout, the drinking hose, and the bite valve.
Reservoir:
The main reservoir itself is constructed of polyurethane material. The edges of the two sides have been fused together in a 0.30 in/ 7.6 mm seam. The reservoir is embellished with a stylish Platypus design as well as markers in the units of liters and ounces. The unit markers are placed along the left side of the reservoir positioned at 0.5 L (17 oz), 1.0 L (34 oz), 1.5 L (51 oz), 2.0 L (70 oz).
Anchor Loop:
The anchor loop is built into the reservoir and is made of polyethylene. The loop is positioned diagonally from the pour spout to aid in dispensing the water from the reservoir. This loop is designed to be hung from a hydration loop in a pack. By hanging the reservoir in this way gravity assists in dispensing the contents of the reservoir.
Pour Spout:
The pour spout is constructed of a polyethylene material and has a screw-on design.
The opening is 1 in (2.54 cm) in diameter.
Drinking Hose:
The drinking hose is 42 in (107 cm) in length and blue in color. It's constructed with the female side of the screw-on top which is designed to be attached directly to the reservoir. The other end of the hose is equipped with the bite valve for drinking.
Bite Valve:
The Bite valve is made of a silicone material and has a width of 1 in (2.54 cm).
Field Information
Test Location: Colorado Rockies
Trips: Mount Elbert - March 20th, 2010
La Plata Peak - March 27th, 2010
Mount Sherman - September 26th, 2010 (See personal website for Trip Report)
Blanca and Ellingwood - August 28th, 2010 (See personal website for Trip Report)
North Apostle - July 25th, 2009 (See personal website for Trip Report)
General Conditions: Various Colorado adventures elevation ranging from 4000 ft
(1219 m) - 14443 ft (4402 m)
Weather Conditions: 5 F (-14.99 C) to 90 F (32.22 C).
Product Review
I purchased my first Platypus water container the summer of 1996. I was leaving town on a camping trip and decided to make one last stop at my local outdoor store for a couple of supplies. I came across a 1 Liter platypus water bottle. I asked the sales associate about it and he quickly told me of all the features. The selling point for me was its collapsible design. I remember thinking that it looked somewhat flimsy, so I wasn't fully convinced, but the price was within reason so I gave it a try. I've been carrying one ever since.
On an average day in the High Country I carry four liters of water. My hydration system consists of 2 Platypus bladders. The primary bladder is a mountable Platypus Hoser 2.0 Liter Hydration System for on-the-fly re-hydration. This bladder is typically mounted within a hydration compartment within my pack. The secondary is a standard Platypus 2.0 Liter bladder that I use as a secondary reservoir. Once the Hoser 2.0 L has been depleted, I refill it with the contents of the standard bladder. First off, a few uses that I didn't expect from a hydration system:
- Heatable
In the unfortunate situation of having to stay out for an extra unplanned evening in cold temperatures, water can be boiled and placed in the Platypus. This will generate a fair amount of heat. Once the water begins to cool the water is drinkable, as opposed to it being a useless frozen brick. This process can be repeated every 3 or so hours until morning arrives.
Another useful feature of the heated platypus is that it can be used as a heating pad in the event that the hike left sore muscles.
- Freezable.
In the summer months the Platypus can be frozen before leaving for a trip. I keep it in a cooler while driving to the trailhead. Once on the trail, the frozen Platypus turns to water, cold water on a hot day is a welcomed treat.
One thing that I've noticed about the Platypus line of products is that it takes colder temperatures to freeze them solid. On a winter trip in the Appalachian Mountains I placed my Platypus along with my conventional bottles just outside of my tent. The next morning I found that the water in the Platypus was "slushy" but still drinkable, the conventional bottle was frozen solid.
In the Colorado High Country it is common to have warmer temperatures at lower elevations and colder windy conditions higher up. On several occasions I've had the hose and bite valve freeze solid due to a smaller surface area and direct exposure to the elements. When this happens the reservoir, being larger and in my pack, will still have unfrozen water. The Platypus is wonderful in the fact that the hose can be removed from the spout, providing easy access the water. A number of other hydration systems either have a permanently fixed hose or a "convenient" wide mouth opening positioned vertically, both of which render the water somewhat inaccessible should the bite valve or hose become unusable.
Summary
The Platypus line is versatile and in my opinion well worth the money spent. The Hoser 2.0 Liter Hydration System is great for short day hikes or longer backpacking trips. I would highly recommend this product to anyone looking for a hydration system.
Pros
Durable
Compactable
Multi-Purpose
Expandable
Cost Effective
Cons
While the seams are certainly stout, the polyurethane walls are fairly susceptible to puncture. On one trip my non-mounted Platypus was in the same compartment as my camp stove. While hiking the bladder shifted and came into contact with the foot of my camp stove. It eventually punctured the wall. Knowing that this is a vulnerability, I have been able to mitigate it by deliberate placement while packing.
Recommended Accessories:
Closure Cap: Useful for capping the reservoir should my needs change or the hose become unusable.
Tube Insulator: An insulator that helps keep the hose from freezing.
Read more reviews of Platypus Hydration gear
Read more gear reviews by Shane Williams
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